Ethical and Moral Implications of Corruption

Chinenye Leo Ochulor

Abstract

This paper argues in defence of the thesis that there is an urgent need for an indebt and thorough going ethical re-orientation and education, Particularly, in Nigeria. Apart from reinstating the place of moral education in the educational curriculum, there is also the need to carry out mass enlightenment campaigns through the print and electronic media, through plays, the entertainment industries, government sponsored television shows, fliers, articles on papers, newspapers and books. Ethical standards should be insisted upon in every sector and aspect of the people’s lives; and those making efforts should be singled out and rewarded, especially those who have the public responsibility entrusted to them. The first people that come to mind are policy makers and implementers – those in Government-since their actions and inactions, in this regard, have a lot of influence on the crusade against corruption. What this means, our paper argues, is that Nigeria’s much desired economic recovery and national development cannot be achieved unless Nigerians eschew corruption from their individual and national lives and embrace the virtues of honesty, patriotism and altruism. Key words: Corruption; Deontologism; Teleologism; Contractarianism